Brynn, Leah and Maryn Jonswold strike a more active pose this year. The Eden Prairie girls were photographed sleeping in their stroller at last year’s Fourth of July activities in Eden Prairie.

“It is busy,” said their mother Alison Jonswold, of life with 19-month-old triplets. She and husband Peter agreed that the trio is pretty good-natured.

“We’re lucky,” Alison said.

We caught up with them at home this year in their new patriotic outfits.

A hot Thursday afternoon last week saw 2-year-olds frolicking with water toys outside the Eden Prairie Education Center. Across the parking lot, 3- to 5-year-olds took turns riding a miniature horse.
Instructors Colby Ulrich and Anette McCullough led the “Crazy About Horses” class, which had been suggested because Ulrich owns horses. The 3- to 5-year-olds learned the parts of a horse, how to groom a horse and what equipment goes with horse riding. Then they each got a chance to ride the horse – and go for a ride in a cart behind the horse.

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Fireworks are at 10 p.m.

The city of Eden Prairie has planned a fireworks display for 10 p.m. July Fourth at Round Lake. In case of rain, fireworks will be rescheduled to 10 p.m. July 5.

New this year

New this year will be the Outdoor Center coming to share information and creatures. In addition, there will be fun activities from the Art Center.

Wrist bands will be available this year for all day fun in the inflatable area and carnival games from noon to 3 p.m. and again from 5-8 p.m.

By Karla Wennerstrom

Local Web designer, photographer and writer Jody Russell has really written a book.

Sometimes she can’t even believe it herself.

Her novel, “The Secret History of Lake Amikota,” is available now.
“I always wanted to write,” Russell said in an interview. “I always wrote.”

When she was bored, following her mother around the house, she would hear, “Why don’t you write a story?”

Russell started writing then, but she didn’t continue.

Stan Bann, professional musician, composer and arranger, is bringing his new performing ensemble, Big Bone Band, to Centennial Lakes Park Maetzold Amphitheater at 7 p.m. June 28. The park is at 7499 France Ave. S.

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Crafter has been building model boats for three decades

By Mollee Francisco

Erwin Stevenson’s Chaska basement is a testament to his affinity for hobbies. There are collections of wooden toy train engines, model airplanes and even rockets scattered about. But the collection that gets top billing over the rest is one that he’s been building for the last 30 years – his model boat collection.

The city of Eden Prairie is seeking vendors that want to be part of International Festival 2009.

The Festival is scheduled for 3-8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Staring Lake Amphitheatre, 14800 Pioneer Trail.

Openings for arts and craft vendors, cultural displays and entertainers are still available, according to a news release from the city.

Those interested should contact Nicole White at nwhite@edenprairie.org or 952-949-8457 for more information.

Click here for more information: http://www.edenprairie.org/vCurrent/live/article.asp?r=6916.

The Middle Spunk Creek Boys entertained during the Riley-Jacques Barn Twilight Special Saturday at the Riley-Jacques Barn, 9100 Riley Lake Road. The Dorenkemper House on the farmstead was also open for tours during the event. The next Twilight Special is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and is a bluegrass and old time concert featuring The DitchLilies. Cost for the upcoming event is $5 for adults, $3 for children, students and seniors.

Eden Prairie Reads has announced the selection of “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver for next year’s community-wide reading program. Barbara Kingsolver, author of more than 11 acclaimed books, including “The Bean Trees,” “Pigs in Heaven,” “The Poisonwood Bible,” “Prodigal Summer” and more, published this book in 2007 with sidebars written by her husband Steven and daughter Camille.

By Mollee Francisco

Those wondering what it would be like to be Tiger Woods playing the Hazeltine National Golf Club course need wonder no longer.

The private course in Chaska is one of the new courses featured in the recently released Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 by EA Sports. It will allow players to experience the famed 18th hole where, as Woods declares in the game’s trailer, he hit “probably my best shot ever on the PGA Tour” in 2002.

Hazeltine is hosting this year’s PGA Championship in August.